Law360 Quotes Partner Mark A. Konkel on Protecting Gay Workers

Partner Mark A. Konkel was quoted in the Law360 article, ​“Protecting Gay Workers A Best Practice, DOJ Report Shows.” The article discusses a U.S. Department of Justice report detailing new benefits for married same-sex couples and showing that employers would be wise to treat sexual orientation like race, gender or any other characteristic protected by federal anti-discrimination law. Mr. Konkel stated that ​“for all intents and purposes, employers really do need to treat sexual orientation as a protected category or, at the very least, proceed very cautiously if they choose not to.” The article notes that a series of incremental changes, both in how states and the federal government approach same-sex marriage and gay rights in the workplace, as well as case law dealing with gender stereotyping claims under Title VII, have now reached a ​“critical mass,” as described by Mr. Konkel.